Coiler-gear mechanism



Feb. 16, 1965 sHozo NQDA COILER-GEAR MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 27, 1962 Feb. 16, 1965 sHozo NoDA coILER-GEAR MEcHANrsM Filed Feb. 27, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 16, 1965 sHozo NoDA COILER-GEAR MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 27.A 1962 Fig@ 6@ Fig@ 74/ United States Patent O This invention relates to a coiler gear mechanism for guiding a sliver into a sliver can.

In placing a sliver in a sliver can, it is possible to accommodate the maximum amount of sliver in a can having a given volume by providing a mechanism adapted to layv the sliver along circular loci and means to gradually change the position at which the sliver is laid down along the circular loci.

In order to attain the above mentioned object, it is usual to feed the sliver to the center or a coiler gear from above to deliver it through a hole situated near the outer periphery of said coiler gear. Usually a tube is utilized to guide the sliver while it is passing through the coiler gear.

The number of revolutions of the coiler gear is deermined by the diameter of a circle along which the sliver is laid down during one revolution of the coiler gear and the speed of the sliver. Therefore, when the coiling diameter is too small, or when the angular velocity is too fast, diiiiculties arise with the bearings employed, the problems increasing with the running speed.

More particularly, for low-speed operation a mechanism is used in which a circular projection is provided on the bottom surface of the coiler gear, and a circular groove receiving said projection is provided on a coilergear-supporting plate for providing a sliding support therebetween. A thrust bearing may oey interposed Vbetween the coiler gear and its supporting plate.

For high-speed operation, three types of mechanism have been developed. In one mechanism, three or four roller units, which are carried by ball bearings on a supporting plate, are arranged at spaced points along the outer periphery of the plate so as to mount the coiler gear in a floating state with respect to the supporting plate at three or four locations via said rollers. ln another mechanism, a particularly large ball bearing is utilized, the bearing having its inner race iiXed to the coiler gear and its outer race to the supporting plate. ln either of said mechanisms, the coiler gear is supported at its outer periphery so that the running speed of its bearing elements becomes veryhigh which also imposes certain practical limitation.

ln order to provide an efficient supporting means suitable for much higher speeds without imposing such limitation, in the above mentioned two arrangements a suitable supporting assembly such as a ball bearing `is arranged at a reduced-diameter top portion of the coiler gear instead of supporting the coiler gear at its bottom portion where its diameter is maximum.

Since a coiler gear can be generally assumed to be conical, it is able to utilize a supporting surface of relatively small diameter when the coiler gear is supported at its top portion. Moreover, the necessary number of revolutions of the coiler gear itself ,may be the Same as those in the above mentioned two mechanisms.l This permits considerable reduction in the running speed of the supporting member. Furthermore, by this arrangement, also, the bottom of the coiler gear is maintained in a oating state with respect to the supporting plate.

For another reason, it is usual to provide gear teeth on the large periphery of the coiler gear and to arrange it to mesh with a driving pinion. In some cases, in lieu of gear teethya groove is provided to be driven by a suitmentioned difficulties.

'ice

able driving means such as a rope or lil-:e iiexible element. While these arrangements are utilized principally in the iirst mentioned mechanism, gear teeth are arranged at the top portion of the coiler gear in the last mentioned mecha-v nism. "fhus, all of these driving arrangements are disposed near the supporting elements.

Considering now the force acting upon the bearing in these prior arrangements, there is a tendency for one portion or" the bearing to be subjected to a larger force, at a definite portion and in a denite direction, than other portions owingto the driving means.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, since the coiler gear has a conguration which is quite unbalanced for rotation, it has a tendency to gyrate under influence of its centrifugal force. Notwithstanding these two inevitable states of forces, the coiler gear is supported by a single bearing means in these said prior arrangements.

Especially, in the last mentioned arrangement, since the coiler gear is supported at the top of a circular core, the massive portion of the gear is suspended beneath the supporting means. Accordingly, in prior coiler gear mechanism having inevitably unbalanced construction, the force acting upon its bearing caused by the gyrating motion is very large.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a novel coiler gear mechanism which can obviate'the above Another object of this invention is to provide an improved-coiler gear mechanism which can operate at higher speeds than prior mechanisms without causing any undesirable vibration or damage to the bearing.

. The feature of this invention resides in separating into tWo parts, i.e., a top part and a bottom part or pan, a coiler tube gear which is usually made as an integral unit and to provide separate bearings tothe respective parts.'

By such a construction, the upper bearing, for example, functions to support the thrust caused by, gear drive but is substantially free from the effect of unbalance of the coiler gear itself, and this effect of unbalance may be supported by the bearing device in the bottom part.

In another embodiment of this invention, the upper bearing is arranged to support the thrust caused by gear drive as well as the effect of unbalance in the coiler tube portion. coiler tube is relatively small, the effect of unbalance is relatively small, and this effect can be further reduced by utilizing a suitable counter Weight. On the other hand, the bottom bearing device must support the bottom pan body having relatively large mass, but there is no serious problem because the pan can be constructed to have a shape easy to balance.

Generally the bottom part or pan is required not only to support relatively massive coiler gear but also to withstand large upward force acting upon its lower surface caused by groups of slivers lfirmly compacted in a sliver can. In addition, inasmuch as the bottom part opcrates at high speed, the force acting upon the lower bearing device is considerably larger than that acting upon the upper bearing device.

ln accordance with this invention, however, various forces created during the operation of a coiler gear are divided so as to be independently supported by separate bearing devices, thereby reducing the loads on the bearings and providing eihcient operation at even higher speeds.

lt is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

n the drawings: I

FIG. 1 is a side elevational View, partly in section, of one embodiment of this invention;

However, in this case, as the mass of the FIG. 3 isa side elevational view, partly in section, of

the upper part of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1 for explaining a method of supporting the upper part; j

FIG.-4 is a side-elevational view, partly in section,vof the lower part for explaining its method of support;

FIG. 5' shows a plan View'illustrating a curved, inclined guide tube; t

FIG. 6 is aside 'elevational view, partly in section, of the upper part jof a modified mechanism for explaining its method of support; and

FIG. 7V is a side elevational View, partly in section, of the bottom part of -the modified mechanism for explaining its method of support. Y l

Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to similar or corresponding parts.

Referring'now to FIG. 1 ofthe accompanying drawings, after passing between apair of calendar rollers 1 and 1a a sliver is inserted into an inlet opening- A at the topof Va coiler-gear mechanism and is discharged to drop in to a sliver can, not shown, which is arranged beneath the mechanism, throughV an inclined guide passage B and a discharge opening C The sliver is laid in a circular Y manner as the discharge opening sweeps along a circular locus upon the rotation of the assembly.

' While anysuitable means may be used for rotating the assembly, a helical-gear drive is illustrated as an example. ,1

As above pointed out, according to this invention the 31, the upper part 30 'comprising'a gear 2 fixed to the inner race of aball bearing 10 at vits upper portion, a

Y l and is supported by said four rollers 20 in alignment with thel upper part with the flanges of the groove 23 forming axial-thrust means capable of withstanding the pressure of the packed sliver.

The force acting upon f our guide rollers 20 during the rotation of the pan is composed of a first force necessary to support the weight of the'pan itself, a second force acting upon the lowerv surface of the pan to urge it upcoiler-gear mechanism is dividedinto two parts 3) and downwardly projecting inclined guide tube 3 which is sekcured to the lower surface o f the gear 2 to define said Y .passage B, a vertical arm or shaft 4, and pins 5 and 6 secured to the lower end of the shaft 4 which is integral with the gear 2. The outer race of the bearing 10 issecured to a xed block 11 which in turn is rigid with a frame 12. Thus, as shown in FIGS. l and 3, the'top part 30 is rotatably supported in correct, position by the ball bearing 10. To rotatethis top parta helical pinion 14 fmeshingwith helical-gear .teeth 7 of the gear` 2 is mounted on a drive shaft 13, the pinion 14 and shaft 13 constituting a drive means coupled withthe upper coile'r member via' its gear 2. The force `acting upon the top bearing 10 is composed kof a first force required to rotate the top part 30 while supportingiits weight, a second force necessary to 'maintain the top partin its correct `position against a force normally/'tending to bias it inga definite direction, andV a fr Vthird force caused by the unbalanced condition during rotation due to asymmetrical contiguration'of the lower portion.'

With such a construction,'when'compared with a .con-

, 'ventional mechanism wherein gear teeth are cut around the periphery of a coiler pan, the diameter' of the pan can be made smallenso that, even where the same gear mechanism is used, it is possible to make 1t have a smaller radius of gyration, thus increasingthe rate 'of acceleration or deceleration. Thisrneans that troubles occurring Vin the case of operating at even higher speed Vare greatly minmized, thereby providing a tube gear mechanism suitable for high speed operation.

\ As shown in FIGS. 2y and V4, Vthe bottom part 31 of the co'iler-gea'r mechanism comprises a shallow disc-shapedl pan 22 which is supported by four guide rollers 20, each having a ball bearing 21'Y (FIG. l) and receivedwithina `fitted in holes Zland 25, respectively, of the pan 22.V It

should-be noted that these pins and holes serve merely as a rotary motion transmitting device from the top part to the bottom part but do not restricttheir supported positions. Thus their relative axial positions are exible, i.e. there is freedomiof relative axial movement but'the rotation ofthe top, part is positively transmitted to the bottom part sothat they rotate in unison. With such construction, any forceacting upon the top'bearing 10 will not affect' the bottom bearings 21. Similarly any force' acting upon the bottom bearings will not affect the top bearing. `Thus the top and bottom bearings operate quite independently to supportthe coiler-'gear mechanism.

If the' bottom bearings 21were eliminated, and top and bottom parts were constructed as a' unitary structure, then the top bearing 10 would besubjected to forces of variousdi'rections so that Ait would not operate satisfactorily at high speed. Qnthefother hand, if; the top bearing were eliminated, and if Vtop and b ottom parts were constructed as a unitary structure,fthe coiler gear mechanismlwould become unstable because itis. driven by bearing surfaces. Y

According tol this invention, however, a Acoiler gear is divided into separate upper and bottom parts which are` respectively provided with'an anti-frictionbearing,` and ywherein a curved inclined tube 3 is substituted for the straight tubefo shownin FIGS; 1 and 3. guide tube 3 provides moreeicient guiding action to the groove 23 (FIG. l)k on the outer periphery of the pan.

The pan is provided with holes 24 and 25 for receiving said pins orv dowels 5 and 6, respectively, and the discharge opening C near its periphery; The bottom pan 22 vhas no gear or otherdriving means other thansaid pins Vthe appended claims.

Athe upper and lower parts are connected by a coupling means-which functions solely: to transmit rotary moton from the upper part to thelower part. Thus, this invention provides a novel coiler-gear mechanism Whichjcan operate at Vhigh-speed without `any vibration' and overheating of the bearings. Y l.

FIG. 5 shows another Vembodiment of this invention This curved sliver in view of the 'centrifugal force imparted to the sliver athigh speed and the deposit speed thereof.

In still another modification shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 Vvthe inclinedV guide tube 3.is mounted on the pan 22. It

will-be clear thatV such a modified construction can also operate satisfactorily.

, While the'invention has been'explained by describing Y particular embodiments thereof, it will be apparent thatV improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as/ defined in What is claimed is: l i i 1. In a coiling Vmechanismv fordepositing sliverin Va sliver can, in combination, support means located above the mouth of the sliver can;.an upper coiler member roftatably. mounted on said support means and provided with a generally central inlet opening for said sliver; a lower Vcoiler member rotatably mounted'on said support means coaxial with said upper member and axially spaced therebelow; first bearing means'journaling said upper member to 'said support means; second bearing means axially 'spaced' from said'rst bearing means journaling said lower member to said support means; coupling means interconnecting said members for joint rotation while permitting relative axial motion therebetween, said lower member being provided with a discharge opening outwardly of tbe axis of rotation of said members; guide means on one of said members interconnecting said openings for directing sliver from said inlet opening to said outlet opening; and drive means coupled with said upper member for rotating it about said axis.

2. in a ceiling mechanism for depositing sliver in a sliver can, in combination, support means located above the mouth of the sliver can; an upper coiler member rotatably mounted on said support means and provided with a generally central inlet opening for said sliver; a disk-shaped lower coiler member rotatably mounted on said support means coaxial with said upper member and axially spaced therebelow; annular lirst bearing means journaling said upper member to said support means; second bearing means axially spaced from said lirst bearing means journaling said lower member to said support means, said second bearing means including a plurality of angularly spaced bearing rollers rotatable about respective axes parallel to the axis of said members in engagement with the periphery of said lower member; coupling means interconnecting said members for joint rotation while permitting relative axial motion therebetween, said lower member being provided with a discharge opening outwardly of the axis of rotation of said members; guide means on one of said members'interconnecting said openings for directing sliver from said inlet opening to said outlet opening; and drive means coupled with said upper member for rotating it about said axis.

3. In a coiling mechanism for depositing sliver in a sliver can, in combination, support means located above die mouth of the sliver can; an upper coiler member rotatably mounted on said support means and provided with a generally central inlet opening for said sliver; a disk-shaped lower coiler member rotatably mounted on said support means coaxial with said upper member and axially spaced therebelow; annular first bearing means journaling said upper member to said support means; second bearing means axially spaced from said first bearing means journaling said lower member to said support means, said second bearing means including a plurality of angular-ly spaced bearing rollers rotatable about respective axes parallel to the axis of said members in engagement with the periphery of said lower member, said periphery being provided with a pair of spaced-apart llanges forming axial-thrust means for taking up the pressure of pacxed sliver in said can; coupling means interconnecting said members for joint rotation while permitting relative axial motion therebetween, said lower member being provided with a discharge opening outwardly of the axis of rotation of said members; guide means on one of said members interconnecting said openings for directing sliver from said inlet opening to said outlet opening; and drive means coupled with said upper member for rotating it about said axis.

4. In a soiling mechanism for depositing sliver in a sliver can, in combination, support means located above the mouth of the sliver can; an upper coiler member oi' relatively small diameter rotatably mounted on said support means and provided with a generally central inlet opening for said sliver; a lower coiler member of relatively iarge diameter rotatably mounted on said suppormeans coaxial with said upper member and axially spaced therebelow; first bearing means journaling said upper mem er to said support means; second bearing means axially spaced from said lirst bearing means journaling said lower member to said support means; coupling means interconnecting said members for joint rotation while permitting relative axial motion therebetween, said lower member being provided with a discharge opening outwardly of the axis of rotation of said members; guide means on one or" said members interconnecting said openings for directing sliver from said inlet opening to said outlet opening; and a drive gear integral with said upper member for rotating it about said axis.

5. In a ceiling mechanism for depositing sliver in a sliver can, in combination, support means located above the mouth of the sliver can; an upper coiler member of relatively small diameter rotatably mounted on said support means and provided with a generally central inlet opening for said sliver; a disk-shaped lower coiler member of relatively large diameter rotatably mounted on said support means coaxial with said upper member and axially spaced therebelow; annular tirst bearing means journaling said upper member to said support means; second bearing means axially spaced from said rst bearing means journaling said lower member to said support means, said second bearing means including a plurality of angularly spaced bearing rollers rotatable about respective axes parallel to the axis of said members in engagement with the periphery of said lower member; coupling means interconnecting said members for joint rotation while permitting relative axial motion therebetween, said lower rnember being provided with a discharge opening outwardly of the axis of rotation of said members; guide means on one of said members interconnecting said openings for directing sliver from said inlet opening to said outlet opening, said upper coiler member being formed integrally with a drive gear for rotating said upper member about said axis, and drive means operatively coupled with said gear.

6. In a ceiling mechanism for depositing sliver in a sliver can, in combination, support means located above the mouth of the sliver can; an upper coiler member rotatably mounted on said support means and provided with a generally central inlet opening for said sliver; a lower coiler member rotatably mounted on said support means coaxial with said upper member and axially spaced therebelow; trst bearing means journaling said upper member to said support means; second bearing means axially spaced from said first bearing means journaling said lower member to said support means; coupling means interconnecting said members for joint rotation while permitting relative axial motion therebetween, said coupling means including a generally axially extending stem rigid with one of said members and interitting formations on said stern and the other of said members, said lower member being provided with a discharge opening outwardly of the Aaxis of rotation of said members; guide means on one of said members interconnecting said openings for directing sliver from said inlet opening to said outlet opening and drive means coupled with said upper member for rotating it about said axis.

7. In a cofiling mechanism for depositing sliver in a sliver can, in combination, support means located above the mouth of the sliver can;ran upper coiler member of relatively 4small diameter rotatably mountedA on said support means and provided with a 'generally central inlet opening for said sliver; a disk-shaped lower coiler member of relatively large diameter rotatably mounted on said support means coaxial with said upper member and axially spaced therebelow; annular first bearing means journaling said upper member to said support means; second bearing means raxially spaced from said rst bearing means journaling said lower member to said support means, said second bearing means including a plurality of angular-ly spaced bearing rollers rotatable about respective axes parallel to the aids of said members in engagement with the periphery of said lower member, said periphery being provided with a pair of spaced-apart flanges forming axial-th1ust means for taking up the pressure of packed sliver is said can; coupling means interconnecting said members for joint rotation while permitting relative axial motion therebetween, said coupling means including a generally axially extending stem rigid with one of said members and inte-rlitting formations on said stem and the other of said members, said lower member being provided with a discharge opening out-V 'Wardly V'of the Varxisof rotation of said` members; guide means on one of saidmembers interconnecting said openings for directing slivelirom said inlet opening to said outlet opening, said Iupper coiler member being 'formed integrally `with a drive gear for rotating said uppermember about said laxis; and drive means operatively coupled with said gear.Y

References Cited in the le of thisV patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Robinson Feb. 1, 19755 Jackson Apr. 29, 1958 y Germany Jan. 8, 

1. IN A COILING MECHANISM FOR DEPOSITING SLIVER IN A SLIVER CAN, IN COMBINATION, SUPPORT MEANS LOCATED ABOVE THE MOUTH OF THE SILVER CAN; AN UPPER COILER MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND PROVIDED WITH A GENERALLY CENTRAL INLET OPENING FOR SAID SILVER; A LOWER COILER MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS COAXIAL WITH SAID UPPER MEMBER AND AXIALLY SPACED THEREBELOW; FIRST BEARING MEANS JOURNALING SAID UPPER MEMBER TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS; SECOND BEARING MEANS AXIALLY SPACED FROM SAID FIRST BEARING MEANS JOURNALING SAID LOWER MEMBER TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS; COUPLING MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID MEMBERS FOR JOINT ROTATION WHILE PERMITTING RELATIVE AXIAL MOTION THEREBETWEEN, SAID LOWER MEM- 